Habits for Lowering Your Energy Bill

With summer temperatures climbing and utility bills following close behind, a local HVAC company offers easy, everyday habits to help homeowners manage energy costs—with little more than common household items.

1. Keep the Heat Outside

During the hottest months, nearly 75% of sunlight that hits your windows makes its way indoors and heats up your home. Keeping curtains, blinds, or reflective window film closed during peak sun hours can significantly reduce that heat. Even lining windows with aluminum foil can effectively reflect infrared rays and lower your indoor temperature.

2. Use Cold Mist for a Quick Cool

In smaller spaces, filling a cool-mist humidifier with cold water (and maybe ice) can produce a light chilling effect via evaporation. It may only last 30–60 minutes, but it’s a low-cost alternative to cranking the AC—especially in drier climates.

3. Reduce Internal Heat Sources

Everyday activities—like cooking on a hot stove or taking a steamy shower—can warm your home and force your AC to work harder. The fix? Limit use of heat-producing appliances during the hottest times, and always use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to vent excess heat and moisture.

4. DIY Ice-and-Fan Cooler

Fans don't actually cool air, but they circulate it. Enhance their effect by placing bottles filled with ice or cold water in front of a running fan. The chilled air will flow throughout the room, creating a refreshing breeze without tapping into your cooling system—or your wallet.

5. Maximize Natural Cooling

Letting a summer breeze into your home can be beneficial—but picking the right method matters. Instead of fully open windows (which may admit warm air), try hanging a damp sheet over a partially opened window. As the breeze passes through, it cools the fabric and the air.

Energy costs are on the rise nationwide, and households—especially those with limited income—are feeling the strain. Practical strategies like these not only reduce electricity use but can also help prevent shut-offs during heatwaves.